If i get a new hard drive for my laptop, does it have to be the same one for my original software to work?

My Toshiba Satellite A205-S5855 hard drive just took a dump. I tried doing system recovery using discs that came with laptop and an error came up…I called a toshiba tech and they told me I need new hard drive. In order for my system recovery to work, can i get any hard drive (for instance any from best buy) or must i get the same one i originally have in order for my software to work?

my bad hard drive recovery?

Ok.. this is weird my hard drive is acting funny.Every time i download some updates and trusted software stuff it beeps and freezes and the time i boot up it takes for EVER and when it does boot all the way, crash.. then i have to go to system recovery and then all that again (but i don’t need to tell you all this) ok.. so that was B4 i hit my computer (getting mad) but not like some crazy freak.(BUT LISTEN) I hit it were the hard drive sits so i know its ok.But my hard drive i don’t think so.. so here is my questions:

can i use a blank disk to copy my whole hard drive to a new one and have vista on it so i don’t have to buy anything?new but the hard drive.

can i use a "hard drive tool" to fix it?

um that’s it….HELP

I've done a System Recovery on XP, but need some lost data?

My laptop was acting up so I ran the system recovery disks and restored it to factory settings. One mistake though…there was a folder of pictures that I didn’t mean to delete. Any chance of getting those back using a data recovery program? What about sending the hard drive off?
Thanks

Will a system recovery disk work…?

Will a system recovery disk work on a computer that is totally nonresponsive and can’t get into safe mode. Also, does a system recovery disk mess with the data in my computer?